Fire-extinguishing compound.



1 attraction SALA, or MEXICO, MEXICO.

riannirrrncoisnrne oonrotmn;

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To all-whom it meg/concern:

' Be it known that I, ANTENOR SALA, a cit-i- The object of this invention is to effect an improvement in the manner of ext1ngu1sl1- ing fires, by throwing orspraying a liquid on the burning material, and which produces a coat or film that will efleetively prevent the further access of, or suppress "the air supply-necessary for combustion.

wAlilquid which Will extinguish fires in this, the most eli'ective manner, should be cheap, easily handled and applied, stable when exposed to extremes of heat andcold and changes of the Weather even for long periods, and be Without action upon and be easily removed fronireceptacles and from materials to which it is applied. The liquid-s which have hitherto been used for this purpose are Wanting in one or more of these particulars. 7 I

I have perfected a compound or material which meets all of these requirements, the use of small amounts of which Will efi'ectively extinguish the burning o1 all objects of Whatever form or shape. In. making this compound, I mix with a solution-of a silicate or silicates, a pulverulent substance which is insoluble in the said solution and which will not decompose it, but Which promotes the adherence of the silicate to Walls, ceilings, of other surfaces. When applied to burning objects this material forms a thick adherent.

film, even after the Water of solution has been driven off by the heat. This film effectively prevents the further access of air to parts already inflamed, thus smothering the fiaine. In a similar manner this film prevents the spread of the confiagration to those parts not yet kindled. This addition of insoluble pulverulent substances is very advantageous because the film or coating formed by the use of a. clear solution containing silicates is not so thick, nor does it adhere so ell, as one containing insoluble matter. lhe solids used for this purpose, however, should have no decomposing action upon the soluble silicates and should preferably be of such a nature that they assist in extinguishing the tire; as for example, calcium carbonate or Wh'ltlfig, which will be rapidly decomposed by the heat of the fire Specification of Letters latent-ff Patented Aug.

is, solo. in; Drawing. Application filed marc re, 1907. semi 'ii paeaeas, .1'

especially if it is intense, and vvill'tl'irow out large an ountsof carbon dioxid gas which will surround the burning material and thus aid the film in preventing the of the oxygen of the air to the burning substance.

The requirements just enumerated, I find to be-best met by the use of a mixture of solution of sodium and potassium silicates with finely ground calcium carbonate. I [find that very good results are attained by 'the usejof .the following proportions by Weight; water 4' parts, calcium carbonate parts, sodiunrsilicate etiparts, potassium silicate 6:,parts. I do not confine myself to the 'm use Offtllfitg? proportions however, and may also replaic'j the solution ofsodiuni or potas siuin silicates by. a solution of any soluble 'silica te, of a COIHPOHHd'SlllCfltG, or of a mixture of silicatesg I find that the mixture of sodium and potassium silicates is preferable, especially in so far as stability of solution whenqpreserved for long periods is c cerned. I may also replace the calcium bonate by any othe'r cheap insoluble carbonate, or by anyother suitable substance or mixture of substances in a powdery M Which Will not decompose the solution of silicate orsilicates,,even after a. long time. Examples of other substances which may be used forthis purpose arethe oxides of iron or anyotlier metallic oxides which do not decompose a silicate solution.

When a material thus prepared is thrown or sprayed on a burning object, the flames are immediately smothered and reignition efiectively prevented. I find that this can be done with one tenth of the volume of Water necessary to extinguish a conflagration.

Although many advantages are derived from my invention when any soluble silicate is used I find that still greater advantages are derived 'Wl'lGIl a. compound silicate i potash and soda or a mixture of silicates oi potash and soda are used.

The reason for the use of the compound silicate of potash and soda or the mixture of the silicate of soda and or the silicate cit potash, is the tendency possessed by silicate of soda not to harden and the opposite property, the tendency to harden, always pos sessed by silicate of potash; so that by (1011b bining them they compensate each other and together With the Water and the carbonateof lime, a mixture is obtained "which has no tendency Whatever to harden, in the cold.

The silicate of potash is preferred because it adheres to'the vertical surface without running off, and at the contact with fire, the

silicate of potash acquires a great hardness" 'andadhesion, and the silicate of soda expands into the form of a hard foam; so that the compound when being dashed on an ignited body acquires a great hardness and adhesion by the silicate of potash and a considerable expansion by the silicate'of soda, which causes the coating to increase in thickness. This expansion aids in making difiicult the contact of the oxygen of the air with the carbids of hydrogen andprevents the formation of the flames.

In practically making a fire extinguishing compound, silicate of soda should not be used alone, for in a' fewdays the mixture takes on a consistency so pasty, that its handling in aspirating pumps and impelling devices and in the hose is almost impossible. Nor should it have only silicate of'potash, for if no care is taken to, immediately after Working, wash out the pumps and hose, the

certain risk is runofits hardening therein, and in order to clean them, the pumps must be taken apart and a tiresomecleaningof the'hose must be made. Therefore, in making up this compound with water, carbonate oflime and a compound silicate of potash and soda should be used, or, when this cannot be had silicate of potash and silicate of soda may be combined, and a mixture will be obtained which does not harden-when cold and which is sufficiently fluid to be managed almost as easily as water.

It is always better to have some insoluble incombustible material mechanically mixed with the silicates to add body to the coating.

The silicates will carry this material to the burning surfaces and hold it firmly thereon when they harden. For this, as I have already pointed out, I prefer to use calcium carbonate but I do not limit myself thereto. This lime, which' is used in pulverulent form, is mechanically held to the surfaces by the hardened silicates and forms there-' with a coating with exceptional fire resistin qualities.

hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters'Patent, is 1 v 1. An improved stable fire extinguishing material for use in hose and suitable pumps, consistin of a solution of sodium and p0- tassium silicates mixed with pulverulent calcium carbonate in the proportions substantially as set forth.

2. The improved fire extinguishing compound for use in hose and suitableimpelling evices consisting ofa solution of potassium and sodium silicates mixed with insoluble material in the proportions substantially as set forth.

3.;The improved fire extinguishing compound for use in hose and suitable pumps containing amixture of substantially four,-

ANTENOR SALA.

l Vitnesses:

HERMAN J. TENFnn, EDWIN SEGEB. 

